More premature babies, born before 26 weeks, are surviving than ever before, according to a detailed analysis of the figures for England, BBC News reported.
Severely premature babies were more likely to survive in 2006 than in 1995, the EPICure study found. There was, however, no improvement before 24 weeks – which is the legal limit for abortion.
The figures, published in the British Medical Journal, also indicate the odds of severe disability have not changed.
Life can hang in the balance for children born prematurely, as their bodies are physically not ready for life outside of the womb. The earlier they are born, the greater risk.
The EPICure studies, funding by the Medical Research Council, looked at premature babies born in hospitals throughout England in 1995 and 2006. Researchers expect the findings would apply equally across the UK.
A second report compared the health of the premature babies when they reached the age of three. It showed 34% of babies admitted to neonatal care in 2006 were completely healthy, compared with 23% in 1995.
